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Germany: How to explore the Black Forest on a budget

Explore the Black Forest on a Budget


When you think of Germany, your mind fills with thoughts of cuckoo clocks, dense forests like Grimm's Fairy Tales and some decadent cake made of chocolate and cherries with lots of whipped cream on it above?

The Black Forest travel

If so, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is definitely where you should head! And you're in luck - this area will certainly give you plenty of room to explore without depleting your bank account.
Located in south-west Germany, the Black Forest stretches from Baden-Baden, the spa town of Monte Carlo in Germany, to the border with Switzerland, along the Rhine and almost to at Lake Constance.

Exploring the Black Forest Region


Although this region is a great place to visit for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, it also has a lot to offer culture lovers, with many castles, museums and old churches to choose from. Follow our tips to help you save on your Black Forest adventure.

How to Get There


If you are flying to the Black Forest region outside of Europe, you have several options. Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt International, is about 90 minutes by train from the northern part of the Black Forest. Zurich and Stuttgart also have international airports about a two hour drive or closer, depending on which part of the region you want. Two other options to consider, especially if you are traveling from Europe, are the airports of Karlsruhe-Baden Baden and Basel-Mulhouse, which are close to Freiburg. These two small airports serve discount airlines like Ryan Air and Easy Jet.
All towns in the Black Forest region are also easily accessible by train or bus. If you plan to do some exploration, you may also want to consider renting a car.

Ways to save


Make sure to book all plane, train and bus tickets as far in advance as possible. Prices can go up considerably the closer you book to the actual duration of the trip. Compare prices between train trips and discounted bus lines, such as Flixbus, to make sure you get the best deal. Unless you have a specific destination in mind, you can also check and see which city is the cheapest to reach, and then go from there.

Things to do


Although Baden has many picturesque towns to enjoy, no trip to the region is complete without a getaway to the Black Forest itself. We have put together the following guide with ideas for city trips that include a lot of nature nearby.

Heidelberg


Heidelberg tourist attractions

Heidelberg is home to the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386. But this charming city is more than just a university city. Heidelberg is popular worldwide for its old town in Baroque style and its romantic setting on the Neckar River.

Philosophenweg


Philosophenweg visit attractions in Heidelberg

In Freiberg, be sure to follow in the footsteps of the great philosophers and poets of the past by taking a hike in the Philosphenweg (path of the philosopher). To get there, take one of the bridges across the river and climb the laces. It takes a little while, but the views are worth it. If you haven't already filled up on hikes, the area also has many hiking trails to explore.

Freiburg


Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg, another of Baden's famous university towns, has a beautiful old town with Bächle, paved gutters filled with running water. But beware! If you fall into one of these gutters, legend has it that you will marry a local. Just try to explain this to your significant other.

Schauinsland


Schauinsland

The beloved Hausberg of Freiburg (local mountain), the Schauinsland offers many hiking trails that will put you in search of Hansel and Gretel - don't snack on the gingerbread houses. On a clear day you can even see the tips of the Swiss Alps from here.

How to get there

Schauinsland is located in region 3 of the Freiburg transport network, so it is easily accessible by public transport. Take the tram towards Gunterstal until the end, then change to the bus by cable car (Schauinslandbahn). The cable car will take you on a fun trip higher up the mountain, but tickets are a bit expensive (round trip tickets € 12.50 for adults, € 9 for children), so you might want to jump.

Lake Titisee


Lake Titisee in the Black Forest, Germany

Also located in region 3 of the Freiburg transport network, Lake Titisee is a beautiful alpine lake nestled high up on the hills of the Black Forest. You will find many trails around this lake, which stretches for a mile. The village of Titisee is a bit of a tourist trap, so no need to check it out unless you want to stock up on Black Forest kitsch and maybe a couple of cuckoo clocks.

How to get there

To get there, take the train to Titisee-Neustadt from Friborg. The trip takes just under an hour.

Baden-Baden


Baden-Baden Germany

Baden-Baden is a famous spa town whose thermal waters have provided a relaxing bath since Roman times. In the 19th century, this city was famous for its luxury hotels, casinos and horse racing, making it a chic playground for celebrities of the Victorian era.

Schwarzwald Nationalpark


Nationalpark Schwarzwald

Baden-Baden is also close to the Schwarzwald National Park (Black Forest National Park), which includes about 40 square miles of forest, glacial lakes and vast straight meadows from a story book.

How to get there

To reach this national forest by car, take the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (Black Forest Road). You can also get there by taking the line 245 bus to Mummelsee, then covering the seven miles or sharing a taxi for € 16 to € 20. The trip takes just over an hour.

Freudenstadt


Top sights in Freudenstadt

Freudenstadt is located on the other side of the Black Forest National Park. This picturesque town has an old market square where you can see parts of the foundation of a castle that was never built. The city also has a Gothic-Renaissance church and lots of sun all year round. Like Baden-Baden, Freudenstadt is also a city of well-being, so do not hesitate to "take the waters" like an old-fashioned European aristocrat during your visit.

For affordable accommodation at the Hotel Krone or at the Gasthof Jägerstüble with free breakfast.

The Baden Wine Route


The Baden Wine Route

Forget the cuckoo clocks - the best that the Baden region has to offer is its wine and cuisine. If you are a wine lover, it is worth exploring a stretch of the Baden wine route. This route takes you through vineyards near many cities in Baden, including Heidelberg, Freiburg and Baden-Baden.

Tips for saving on a trip to the Black Forest


Stay outside of Baden-Baden


Stay outside of Baden-Baden

Although Baden-Baden is worth a visit, this upscale city is a bit expensive for the budget traveler. When choosing accommodation, you'd probably be better off choosing Freiburg or Heidelberg as your base and traveling from there. If you want to stay in town, there are a few affordable options depending on the time of year you book.

Eat at bakeries and beer gardens


Eat at bakeries and beer gardens

Besides wine, the Baden region has excellent bread and regional dishes. To save on meals, why not buy a little something from a bakery for lunch and have a cheap meal in a beer or wine garden for dinner? Some local specialties that you should definitely check out include maultaschen (large ravioli usually served with butter and onions or in a soup), spätzle (soft egg noodles, cheese and onions - essentially the tastiest and lightest version macaroni and cheese from southern Germany), and, of course, the world famous classic, Schwarzwald Torte (Black Forest cake).

Pick up a tourist card


Pick up a tourist Heidelberg CARDIf you spend several days in Freiburg or Heidelberg, you may want to consider purchasing a local discount card. Freiburg offers the 3-day WelcomeKarte, which offers free transport on all buses, trams and trains, and includes a free trip on the otherwise expensive Schauinsland cable car. The WelcomeKarte costs € 26 for adults and € 16 for children 14 and under. Heidelberg also offers the Heidelberg CARD for a maximum of four days and the family card for two days.

If you plan to make a lot of trips in one day, the Baden-Württemberg-Ticket could save you some dough. With this ticket, you can travel in the 2nd class wagons of all trains in the region for 24 hours. The more people in your group, the greater the savings. For example, tickets for one person cost € 24, while a ticket for five costs € 48. Children 14 and under travel free.

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